Our History

35 years of nurturing enterprise

Wenta have been providing support to the local business communities for over 35 years, originally starting as a small business ourselves back in 1983.

Here's a timeline summary of our journey so far.

2019

We're still celebrating our 35th Birthday year and we'd love to hear the business stories from the people we've supported (past and present). Click here for more details.

We won The Business & technology Centre contract again! This means we can continue to help start-ups and small businesses from this wonderful centre in Stevenage. Click to learn more!

2018

This year marked the beginning of our 35th Anniversary celebrations. Proceedings started off in August with the launch of The Business Bookshelf, an online resource full of useful articles, templates, tips and tricks to help small businesses start-up and grow! Further celebrations will continue well into 2019!

2017

Wenta welcomes new Chief Executive

Chris Pichon hands over the reigns of Chief Executive to Ed Jordan, ex Chief Executive of The Peel Institute and ex Chief Operating Officer at Coin Street Community Builders.

2017 Continued...

Launch of the new Wenta website and Wenta Online Community platform

Wenta launch its online business support portal, Wenta Online. Clients can now receive free live chat business advice directly from the Wenta website, join and create their own group discussions within the Wenta Online Community area as well as access business support resources.

2016

Wenta receives 'Pride of Stevenage' Award for support provided at the btc

Wenta (btc) is awarded the 'Pride of Stevenage' Award by Stevenage Borough Council for the wide range of support offered at The Business and Technology Centre (btc) and its impact on the local business community.

2015

Wenta Chief Executive, Chris Pichon, receives The Queen’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Enterprise Promotion at Buckingham Palace reflecting all the great work achieved at Wenta.

2014

Wenta awarded 'The Future of Enterprise Support' Award for pioneering approach to business support

After a massively successful first year, Wenta wins The Future of Enterprise Support Award from the National Enterprise Network for their pioneering approach to business support and 'Mi Ventures' live chat business advice platform.

2013

Wenta celebrate 30th anniversary with the purchase of a 5th business centre and launch online business advice service

Wenta launch their sister company – Mi Ventures, an innovative online service which moves business support into the digital era, providing instant live chat business advice online.

Wenta purchase their fifth business centre: The Wenta Business Centre in Enfield.

Wenta celebrate their 30th anniversary with a conference at Knebworth Barns around the theme ‘Inspiring Today, Inspiring Tomorrow’.

Wenta awarded Local Enterprise Agency of the Year for its range of enterprise support services and customer service record.

2012

Wenta receive the Future of Enterprise Support Award from the National Enterprise Network for excellence in business support delivery and the concept for Mi Ventures, a new initiative to be launched the following year.

A sixth business start-up incubator is launched at Hertford Regional College making it the first business incubator within a further education college.

Due to popular demand, our business incubation facility at the btc is refurbished and expanded. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh officially opens the newly refurbished facility in Stevenage.

2011

The Enterprise Centre in Potters Bar receives £250,000 makeover & two further incubators launched in Watford and Potters Bar

My Incubator continues to support pre-starts and start-up businesses and expands into Watford and Potters Bar.

During this time, The Enterprise Centre in Potters Bar receives a £250,000 makeover.

2010

Wenta awarded 'National Enterprise Award for Innovation' and second business start-up incubator launched

Following the success of My Incubator at the btc, a second shared workspace facility for start-ups is launched in Luton.

Wenta are awarded the 'National Enterprise Award for Innovation' by The National Enterprise Network (NEN) for Wenta's business incubation facilities and start-up services.

2009

Wenta launch ground-breaking business start-up incubator at the btc in Stevenage

Wenta are awarded a contract by Stevenage Borough Council to manage The Business and Technology Centre and Chells Industrial Units in Stevenage.

2009 sees the launch of our ground-breaking business incubation facility within the btc, ‘My Incubator’. This service gives new businesses an ideal environment to start and grow their business in, complete with on-site business advisor, meeting room facilities and free training courses.

2008

Wenta celebrates its 25th anniversary

Wenta celebrates its 25th anniversary with a conference at Hatfield House around the theme ‘inspiring enterprise’.

Small business owners and thought leaders gather to celebrate 25 years of enterprise support.

2007

Wenta Business Services is re-branded to Wenta

Wenta Business Services is rebranded to Wenta and our current brand elements are created.

2004

The Wenta Business Centre - Watford is redeveloped and extended

The Wenta Business Centre in Watford undergoes re-development and a new eco-office block is erected providing 24 new offices for small businesses.

Watford Enterprise Agency re-brands to Wenta Business Services

2000

Awarded 'Investor in People Award' and first website launched

Watford Enterprise Agency are awarded the 'Investor in People Award' for ‘excellence and making a difference every day’.

2000 was also the year that we launched our first ever website!

1999

Enterprise programme launched across local schools

Watford Enterprise Agency introduce a ground-breaking programme for inspiring enterprise in schools - delivering training courses and events to students throughout Hertfordshire and educating them that self-employment is a viable option when leaving school.

1995

Chris Pichon announced as new Chief Executive of Watford Enterprise Agency